Chargers safety admitted to shipping cough syrup

[BAMAPHIN 22]

Chargers starting strong safety Terrence Kiel will miss Sunday's game at Baltimore following his arrest at team headquarters on felony drug charges.
Drug Enforcement Administration officials said Wednesday that Kiel admitted to shipping at least two parcels of prescription cough syrup to Texas. While Kiel did not tell the DEA his motive, the agency in Texas has found widespread abuse of codeine-based cough syrup mixed with soft drinks or drugs and referred to as "lean," said John S. Fernandes, the special agent in charge of the San Diego office.

A pint bottle of "lean" can cost between $200 and $325 on the street, he said.

Kiel grew up in Lufkin, about 120 miles north of Houston, and played at Texas A&M.

Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said Kiel would be paid even though he will miss Sunday's game at Baltimore.

"He's been informed to stay home and take care of personal business," Smith said, adding that Kiel is due back with the team on Monday.

"I'm really not interested at this point in commenting on anything about the matter," coach Marty Schottenheimer said.

Clinton Hart, who will start in Kiel's spot, said the defensive backs met Wednesday morning.

"We have to regroup and make that fist a little bit tighter. Kiel's still our boy and we're supporting him 100 percent," Hart said. "We're going to go out there and win this game with him on our backs."

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